〜こそあれ (~koso are) — there is ~, but

Admits 'yes, there is ~' — a small weak point — then states the main point. Stiff and written.

Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)

N N + こそあれ、…

な-adj な-adj + で + こそあれ、…

Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)

When to use it

In a formal letter to your old teacher in Nepal you write about life in Japan: 「言葉の苦労こそあれ、日本での生活は充実しています」— 'the language is certainly a struggle, but my life in Japan is full.'
It is very stiff, written language; in speech, 「苦労はあるけど」is enough.

Meaning

First you honestly admit a small weak point, then step past it to the main point — that is the feeling of 「〜こそあれ」.
「あれ」is an old form of 「ある」, so this is simply a stiff 「〜こそあるが」.
「程度の差こそあれ」(to a greater or lesser degree) is a very common fixed phrase.

How to attach

Straight after a noun: 苦労こそあれ・差こそあれ
Add 「で」to a な-adjective: 不便でこそあれ

Versus what you know

N2Don't confuse it with 「〜てこそ」(only by doing) — both have 「こそ」, but that one means 'only after doing so', this one 'there is ~, but'.

Watch out

Something pointing the other way must follow — you cannot say 「不安こそあれ、とても不安だ」.
It doesn't attach to verbs.

Examples (उदाहरणहरू)

夜勤のつらさこそあれ、今の職場には何の不満もない。

やきんのつらさこそあれ、いまのしょくばにはなんのふまんもない。

Night shifts are hard, it's true, but I have no complaints at all about my current workplace.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 夜勤のつらさ = the hardship of night shifts (a weak point) → 「こそあれ」 = that exists, but → 今の職場には何の不満もない = no complaints about my current job (the opposite, and the main point).

程度の差こそあれ、誰でも将来に不安を抱えている。

ていどのさこそあれ、だれでもしょうらいにふあんをかかえている。

To a greater or lesser degree, everyone carries worries about the future.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 程度の差 = difference in degree → 「こそあれ」 = there may be that, but → 誰でも = anyone → 将来に不安を抱えている = carries worries about the future.

多少の遅れこそあれ、工事はほぼ予定どおり進んでいる。

たしょうのおくれこそあれ、こうじはほぼよていどおりすすんでいる。

There are some delays, but construction is going roughly according to schedule.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 多少の遅れ = a few delays → 「こそあれ」 = there are those, but → 工事 = construction work → ほぼ予定どおり進んでいる = is going almost to schedule.

Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)

Question: 1/3

「程度の差＿＿＿、誰にでも悩みはあるものだ。」— fill the blank.

💡 Hint: 'There may be differences, but' — noun + ?